Where was Savannah Guthrie? NBC anchor returns to ‘TODAY’ desk as search for missing mother Nancy Guthrie continues

NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie returned to the “TODAY” show news desk on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, following a two-week hiatus, as law enforcement continued searching for her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1, 2026.

Savannah, 54, rejoined co-host Craig Melvin, 47, kicking off the morning with a “back-to-school” theme. “Look who’s back! Savannah Guthrie, we missed you!” Melvin declared at the top of the broadcast. “It’s back-to-school week,” Guthrie told Melvin. “I’m bringing you a shiny new apple at 7:30 a.m.” Melvin played along, adding, “And you’ve got your highlighter there!”

Savannah’s public appearances and time away

During her break from broadcast duties, Savannah was spotted attending a U.S. Open exhibition match in New York City on Tuesday, August 25, alongside her husband, Michael "Mike" Feldman. PEOPLE reported she wore a floral D&G dress with nude heels as she cheered on tennis legend Roger Federer.

This was not her first leave from “TODAY” this year. Savannah previously stepped away from the show immediately following her mother's disappearance in February before making her initial studio return in March. She also took time off earlier in the summer to film NBC's upcoming game show Wordle, hosted by Jimmy Fallon. She previously appeared as a guest on Fallon's Password with Keke Palmer, where she helped a lucky contestant win $18,000 in a bonus round.

Search for Nancy Guthrie and family life

Nancy, 84, was reported missing on February 1. Over seven months have elapsed since she vanished in what authorities believe was a kidnapping, with the local Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI actively conducting a joint investigation.

Outside of work and following the ongoing inquiry to find her mother, Savannah spent late summer getting her children ready for the new school year in New York City. Hello! Magazine, Savannah's daughter Vale graduated from elementary school in 2024, prompting Savannah to share a photo at the time with the caption, "When did this happen." For 2026, 12-year-old Vale is set to start 7th grade, while 9-year-old son Charley is headed into 4th grade.